Display container



Sept? 1952 w. J. TYRSECK DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed Nov. 50; 1948 4 ram/0 Patented Sept. 2, 1952 a STATES PATENT OFFICE I DISPLAY CONTAINER 'Walter Jf'lyl seck, Montville, :Conn., assignor :to lRobiertsoniBaperiBox Co.,:Inc.,';lYIontvi1le,*9onn., a :ccrnorationaof :Gonnecticut Applicationlioveinher 30, 1M8, 'Serial'N 0.62,!51'0 '4 iClaIims. 1- invention relates to improvements in display containers. More particularly, the invention is concerned with providing "a display container or stand adapted to 'sit upon .'a counter or in other suitable location and hold a plurality of articles to 'be displayed for "sale.

The invention contemplates the "formation of such a container :with built-in partitions, the container per sec being formed from a single blankand beingadapted to mass production and to 'shipmeht to the customer 'in "knocked-down 'or flat condition. Ordinarily, "the container will "be made of paper, pasteboard, or like material, because of its economy and adaptation tomanu- Tacture on. existing high-speed automatic -machinery.

For a run understanding of the invention, a detailed description of the container will now be given-in connectionwith'the accompanying drawing-and the features forming the :inventionwill then 'be' spec'ifically pointed out in the appended elaims.

In the drawing:

"Figure 1 is a "fiat view-of the container blank;

"Figure 2 is a view showing the container in the collapsedcondition in which shipped to the customer;

'Figuret is a front elevation of the container as set up and indicating the position oi the articles to be displayed and certain other features in phantom;

Figure "4 is a section on the line "4-4 "of Figure Figure 5 is a'detail view 'showin'ga card ioriuse with the display container proper, as shown in previous figures; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the display container and display card, to'getherwith an-outerbox or carton in whi'ch the display non.-

tainer and=contents may be shipped.

in the specific embodiment shown, a display container is provided "for a half dozen "small -hottles, such "as are use'd for table sauces. Some of these ottles are indicated in phantom in "Figures ii and l'in place in the container '1. "They will be arranged in two tiers or rows on different levels,- with three "bottles in each tier. In Figure- 3 'enl-y "onefbottle' of each row is indicated, so-asnot-to cause confusionwith-other lines-of the drawing, but as -is apparent, 'space'isprovided 2 decorative matter in the manner well known in the art, and has the outline shown in Figure l of the drawing. In-Figure l the boundariesef the blank and cuts within the blank are indi' cated in solid lines, while score lines for folding are indicated by dotted lines. The longitudinal score lines 3, 5, -'I, 9, l-l and I3 divide theblan-k into seven -panels4, 6, 8,10, l2, l4 and l'B,- the:e0- action and purposes of which will be hereinafter indicated more fully. Panel 6, in turn, 'is fdivided by transverse score lines 19 and 21 into subsections 20, '22 and 24, and a U-shaped cut 25 insub-section24 forms an ear ortab 26. A cut d is locatedeentrally of thescore'line il9 t-o-take a tab, later described. The :panel M is in turn divided-by cuts 2 l and2 9 continuing the boundary lines 3| and 33 of the adjacent panel's l2 and i t. The cuts 21 and 29, together with trans verse score line 35,defined a-sub-section '34 of the panel M. The cuts 21 and Z9 :and the transverse score lines 35, 31 and 39 divide panel -l 4 into sub-sections 34, 36, '38 and 40 and an arcuate cutM inthe sub-section 40 forms a tab or ear 42.

The container is intended for automatic'manufeature by mass production machinery of existing design, and for shipment to 'thecustomer in collapsed condition. Accordingly, the production-of thecontainer of Figures i and firmay conveniently be divided into two sets of 'opera tions, the first set being concerned with -the manufacture of the collapsed container-of Figure -2 and the second set being concerned with the setting up of this collapsed container, asiindicated in Figures '3,4 and "6.

'Inproducing the collapsed container of Figure 2, 'the'blankof Figurel is fed through an automatic machine, proceeding therethrough always in 'thedirection o'f the longitudinal score lines 3, 1, etc. and being folded only on longitudinal score lines and continuously from one end to the other, in what maybe termed the continuous roll-around principle. The side of the blank shown in Figure 1 will be arbitrarily called :the

face thereof, for definiteness in the "following :ing such walls or-par-titions' together. I

The first ield takes place :along "the line 15, panels 4 and "6 being foldedmver so as to lie face to face-over-panels 1 0 and B. "The-second 'fold occurs-en the line Qf-bringin-g the-reverse.of panels 4 and 6 over panels m and I 4. The-reverse of panel 4 will previously have been prepared with adhesive over an area indicated by the phantom outline 45. This last fold brings the adhesive on the reverse of panel 4 against panel I2, thus joining these two elements together. The last fold occurs on the line [3, panel [6 being folded over against part of the face of the panel i4 and the 'reverseof panel Band being joined to the latter by adhesive previously placed on its face, as indicated at 41. This completes the container in collapsed condition as shipped to the customer and as shown in Figure 2. While the last fold brings panel l5 over on the previously folded elements instead of vice versa, this being more convenient in the operation of the folding machinery, it will be observed that the effect is the same as though the previously folded structure had been folded over along line [3 onto the panel IS, the fold being in one direction so far as the blank is concerned, in either case.

In Figure 2, where the face (according to Figure 1) of the panel of Figure 1 is shown, that fact is indicated by the suffix F applied to the relevant reference numeral, and where the reverse is shown, that fact is indicated by the sufiix R. As will be apparent the reverse of the blank of Figure 1 forms the outside of the container and also forms the front or visible part of internal transverse elements, so that all printing and surface decoration may be done on the reverse of the blank of Figure 1.

In setting up the collapsed container of Figure 2, the customer will push or squeeze it together, applying pressure on fold lines l3 and 9, causing the container to open up into a rectangular tubular form, being open at both ends. Panel 6 forms the front and panel l9 forms the back, which will be parallel, and panels l2 and IB form parallel sides, while panel 6 extends up the middle in parallelism to'the front and back panels M and I0.

Neglecting small differences in dimensions due to the folding, it will be apparent that panels 6, Ill and I4 are of equal width, panels 12 and 16 are equal in width to each other, and panel 8 is half the width of panels [2 and I6. The variation introduced by the folding is merely to widen slightly the panels to the left of the blank of Figure 1 as compared with panels of substantially equal width to the right thereof.

The set-up, so far as panel 6 is concerned, is completed by folding this panel as indicated in Figure 4, the panel being folded on the transverse score lines [9 and 2|, forming 90 angles between the sections 20, 22 and 24 and the flap 25 is slipped over the rear panel l0, holding the parts securely in proper vertical relation. The panel I 4 is similarly folded on the three score lines 35, 31 and 39, and the tab 42 is slipped into the slot I9a out in the middle of score line is on the panel 6, thus holding the sub-panels 36, 3B and 40 securely in proper vertical relation.

There has thus been formed out of a single blank and by a continuous roll-around operation adapted to high speed existing automatic machinery, a collapsed container, and this collapsed container, by utilizing merely the usual folding and fitting in of tabs involved in setting up paper boxes and the like, has been formed into a completed display container having two shelves or supporting surfaces 38 and 22 at different levels, for supporting two tiers of articles to be displayed and the two tiers of articles are in turn separated and held by the front and back walls and by an intermediate transverse partition.

The dimensional relations necessary for the proper fitting of the parts of panels 6 and [4 for obtaining the relationship of elements and angles as shown, are simple. The width of subsection 22 (measured from score line l9 to score line 2|) is of course equal to the width of panel 8 and the distance from score line 2| to the top of flap 26 as defined by the two ends of the cut,

will equal the distance from score line I9 to the projection of the top boundary of the back panel 19. Similarly, the distance from score line 35 to score line 31 will equal the distance from score line 35 to the bottom boundary of the panel 14; the distance from score line 31 to score line 39 will be half the width of panel [2 and will be equal to the distance between score lines l9 and 2|; while the distance from score line 39 to the base of the flap 42 as defined by the terminals of the cut 4|, will in turn equal the height of the sub-section 2!! of panel 6, or distance between the score line 19 and the bottom boundary of panel 6. In the case of these dimensions just discussed, such departure from equality as is involved or necessitated by the folds, is assumed to be made. This variation will be different with materials of different thickness but is readily determinable.

The structure as described is susceptible of very considerable variation to suit different products and requirements. A brief description of the dimensional changes required to adapt the container for other types of display will be suflicient to indicate to those skilled in the art how to effect any desired changes.

In the first place, while the shelves or supports 38 and 22 are shown as horizontal, this being the best form for displaying articles of the type indicated, it will be apparent that these shelves may be sloped frontwardly or rearwardly as desired. A rearward slope may be imparted to the shelf or front tier floor 38 by suitably decreasing the distance between score lines 35 and 31 and increasing that between score lines 31 and 39, while a forward slope may be imparted by increasing the distance between score lines 31 and 39 and suitably decreasing the distance between the flap 42 and the score line 39. Front or rear tilt may likewise be imparted to the shelf 22 by suitably repositioning score line 21 and tab 26.

Secondly, it might be desired to display articles of one character in the front tier and articles of another character in the rear tier and, in view of this, to make the depth of the tiers different. This would be accomplished by variation in the width of the panel 8 aS compared with panels 12 and I IS, with the location of the adhesive 45 to sm The panels 6, I0 and I4 should be in parallelism both in the collapsed container of FigureZ and in the set-up container of the following figures, in order to provide for the collapse of the box. This implies that the distance from score line 5 to score line. 9 will be equal to the distance from score line 9 to score line 13, again allowing for the small adjustment of dimensions to allow for the folds.

In the preferred form of the invention, it is intended to supply both a shipping container, as well as a display container. This permits the manufacturer ,to package his product and ship it in a form in which the retailer is not required to set up the box. This is desirable, since the setting up operation can be performed more efficiently by themanufacturer and also for the reason that shipment of collapsed containers along with the articles to be sold, creates a danger of loss of containers. Accordingly, there is provided with the display container proper, as heretofore described, an outer carton '50 of generally rectangular form and having an inner L-shaped partition 5! to form a filler block. The display container is slid into the carton 5%, as will be obvious from Figure 6', the bottles in the lower tier being held in position by the display container and outer carton with their tops against the filler block 5! and the bottles in the upper tier being held in position by the display container with their sides against the filler block 5| and their tops against the wall of the outer carton 58.

The display container may be used in the form shown without additional surfaces bearing advertising matter, or the sub-section 24 of the panel 5 may be elongated upwardly to any extent desired for carrying additional printing. Such elongation, however, tends to waste pasteboard and, accordingly where additional advertising surface is desired, it is preferred to provide a separate card or extension for the panel 6. This element 52, which is shown in Figure 5, may be generally rectangular and have a bendable tab 53, the bend occurring on score line 54. Tab 53 is L-shaped and has a vertical neck 55 and a lateral or horizontal extension '56. The tab 53 may be folded over on the score line 54 so that the element 52 may be inserted into the carton 5!! along with the display container proper, I, as indicated in Figure 6.

In this position the horizontal extension 56 of the tab is pulled up against the upper boundary of the out 25 and thebody of the card 52 is folded over the back of the container. In setting up, the card 52 is raised to the vertical position and is then pressed down to the front of the panel 24 until it seats against the bottom boundary of the cut 25.

What is claimed is:

1. A display container blank comprising a series of six aligned panels defined and separated from each other by parallel score lines for folding, the blank being adapted for folding continuously in one direction to form the container and comprising panels for forming a rectangular outer sleeve and a partition wall parallel to opposed side panels of the sleeve and dividing the same into two compartments, the panel which is to form the partition wall having one connected side flap element foldable transversely of the blank to form a shelf in one of the said compartments, and a flap hinged thereto and lying against the outer wall of the compartment and having a cut out forming a tongue for engaging over the top of said wall to hold the shelf in position.

2. A display container according to claim 1 comprising also transversely foldable flap elements on a side wall panel and including an element foldable downwardly to lie against the side wall and inside the same, a second element connected thereto and foldable to lie horizontally, and a third element connected to the second element and foldable to extend vertically against the partition wall and having a cut-out defining a tongue for fitting thereover to hold the second element in position, the blank being formed with a cut in the partition wall panel for receiving the tongue of the said third element.

3. A display container comprising a one piece blank folded continuously in one direction and having a series of six panels connected to each other along parallel fold lines, the panels forming a rectangular outer sleeve and a partition parallel to opposite sides thereof which divides the same into two compartments and having also transversely folded elements attached to the partition and to one of the said side walls and forming shelves in the two said compartments at different elevations for displaying goods in two tiers while providing visibility for each tier, and the transversely folded elements including ele-- ments having cut outs forming tongues engaging over the top of the partition and a side wall for holding the shelves in position.

4. A display container comprising a one piece blank folded continuously in one direction and having panels forming a rectangular outer sleeve and a partition parallel to opposite sides thereof which divides the same into two compartments and having also transversely folded elements attached to the partition, the said transversely folded elements comprising a first horizontal element connected to the partition and forming a shelf in one of the said compartments, and a vertical second element connected to the horizontal element and lying along the outside wall of the partition, the said vertical element having a cut out forming a tongue engagin over the top of the outside wall to hold the shelf in position.

WALTER J. TYRSECK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,291,161 Rosenberg Jan. 14, 1919 1,804,826 Einson May 12, 1931 2,442,699 Locke, Jr. June 1, 948 

